Patents Issued in December 17, 2024
  • Patent number: 12168393
    Abstract: A fuel system for a vehicle includes a fuel tank configured to provide fuel to an engine of the vehicle, a shutoff valve configured to selectively restrict a flow of the fuel along a flow path between the fuel tank and the engine, a temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of at least one of the engine of the vehicle or a temperature associated with a body area of the vehicle and provide a temperature signal, and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the shutoff valve. The controller is configured to control the shutoff valve to restrict the flow of the fuel in response to the temperature signal indicating a temperature in excess of a temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Lucas D. Crist, Grant D. Wildgrube, Jarud H. Hoefker, Leslie H. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 12168394
    Abstract: An in-wheel drive device includes: a wheel bearing including a hub; and a speed reducer at least partially disposed in an internal space of the wheel bearing. The speed reducer includes: planet gears; a ring gear configured to engage the planet gears; and a carrier coupled to the planet gears and configured to transmit, to an outside of the in-wheel drive device, power generated by a revolution of the plurality of planet gears. A first sealing part is disposed in a region in which the carrier and the wheel bearing face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyeong Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 12168395
    Abstract: A vibration-proof bush capable of suppressing incomplete fitting of an upper bush and a lower bush. The vibration-proof bush includes an upper bush configured to be mounted on a vehicle body side and a lower bush configured to be fitted to the upper bush are provided, wherein the vibration-proof bush includes interference portions configured to interfere with each other in a process of fitting the lower bush to the upper bush, and the interference portions form a fitting-sound generation structure in which a sound is generated, when the lower bush is fitted to the upper bush during temporary assembling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Ryu
  • Patent number: 12168396
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system and method includes a prime mover driving a generator/motor to produce an AC power output. The AC power output is applied to a rectifier which is controlled to transform the applied AC power to DC power to supply a DC Power bus at a selected voltage and current. An energy storage device is also connected to the DC power bus and the current flow between the energy storage device and the DC power bus is monitored and compared to preselected values and the results of that comparison are used to alter the operation of the rectifier to increase or decrease, as needed, the current provided to the DC power bus as electrical loads on the DC power bus change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: PEGASUS AERONAUTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew McRoberts, Joseph Kinsella, John Biskey, Carl Engelmann
  • Patent number: 12168397
    Abstract: A charging frequency between a transmitting coil and a receiving coil of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system is found by setting an input voltage to the transmitting coil at a fixed voltage, shunting the receiving coil, determining a first input current frequency range in which a resonant frequency is expected to be found, frequency polling within the first input current frequency range using a set of polling frequencies in the first input current frequency range, and selecting as the charging frequency a polling frequency having a lowest input current. The first input current frequency range may be found by setting the first input current frequency range based on regulation, international electromagnetic frequency allotments, or prior experience with WPT between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil. A frequency range around the input current minima is selected to poll for a charging frequency that approximates the resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: InductEV, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Magner
  • Patent number: 12168398
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for retracting a charging cable at an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS). The EVCS includes a housing, a charging cable configured to provide an electric current to charge a battery of an electric vehicle, a sensor for detecting whether external objects are within a predefined region proximal to the housing, a motor configured to retract at least a portion of the charging cable, and a controller electrically coupled to both the sensor and the motor. The method includes energizing the motor, via the controller, to retract at least a portion of the charging cable when retraction criteria are met. The retraction criteria include criteria that are met when the charging cable is not coupled to a vehicle and the one or more sensors do not detect an external object in the predefined region proximal to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Volta Charging, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Kinsey
  • Patent number: 12168399
    Abstract: A battery boost converter system for a bicycle includes a bicycle frame and a motor mounted to the bicycle frame. The system also includes a battery mounted to the bicycle frame and configured to provide power to the motor. The system also includes a boost converter configured to receive a first output signal from the battery and to provide a second output signal to the motor. The boost converter is also configured to determine, based on an operating condition, whether to boost a voltage of the first output signal such that the second output signal has an increased voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TREK BICYCLE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jon Quenzer
  • Patent number: 12168400
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charger for an electric vehicle is provided. The electric vehicle charger includes a charging cable and a charging connector mechanically connected to the charging cable. The charging connector includes a rotation mechanism that may control a “pay in” and a “pay out” function of the electric vehicle charger, a cable reel configured to stow the charging cable, and a first idler drum associated with the cable reel. The first idler drum may produce a resultant force during the “pay out” function, thereby pushing the charging cable away from the cable reel. The rotation mechanism may include a rotary actuator mechanically connected to the cable reel. The rotary actuator may rotate the cable reel and produce the resultant force during the “pay out” function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Hall
  • Patent number: 12168401
    Abstract: A regenerative braking controller for an AC motor. To determine an electromagnetic torque for slowing or stopping the motor, the regenerative braking controller accesses a lookup table to retrieve a braking torque value corresponding to a current estimate of rotor velocity. The retrieved braking torque may correspond to a maximum or minimum torque level at which regenerative braking will occur at the current rotor velocity, or to a torque level at which charging current during regenerative braking will be maximized. If an external mechanical brake is present, the regenerative braking controller can forward an external braking torque signal to a controller so that the mechanical brake can apply the remainder of the braking force beyond that indicated by the regenerative braking torque. A method for establishing the braking torques to be stored in the lookup table is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Aravind Samba Murthy, David Patrick Magee
  • Patent number: 12168402
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, Dean C. Vandenheede
  • Patent number: 12168403
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, Dean C. Vandenheede
  • Patent number: 12168404
    Abstract: A seat rotating device includes a base plate, a rotating plate, a coupling unit, and a drive unit. The coupling unit includes a link, a guide having a linearly extending shape, and a moving body that is movable along the guide and supports the rotating plate. The drive unit can move the moving body along the guide. The link includes a fixing end and a rotating end. The guide has a shape extending linearly along a diameter of a virtual circle, the virtual circle having length twice the distance between the fixing end and the rotating end as its radius, and having the fixing end as its center. The moving body moves the rotating plate along the guide while relatively rotating the rotating plate with respect to the moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sadao Ito, Naoya Okamoto, Ryosuke Shioya
  • Patent number: 12168405
    Abstract: A seat back assembly including a pultrusion reinforcement and a seat back frame formed of a resin material, the seat back frame is only partially overmolded onto the pultrusion reinforcement such that the pultrusion reinforcement is configured to be visually inspected through a plurality of openings formed in the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., BASF SE, Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob A. Herget, John Salvia, Todd Rupert Muck, Vikas Bhatia, Gregory T. Donovan, Matthew F. Parkinson, Steven R. Perucca
  • Patent number: 12168406
    Abstract: A hydraulic deck comprising a frame consisting of a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members, wherein the frame is configured to be mounted in a bed of a pickup truck; a pair of pivot arm members in telescoping engagement with the pair of horizontal members and a pair of extension members in telescoping engagement with the pair of vertical members; a platform member configured to support at least one vehicle; a pair of pillars rotationally connected to pin members positioned on the pair of extension members, wherein the pair of pillar extend perpendicularly from the platform member; and a mechanically operating lifting system configured to slide and lower the platform from the bed in a stored position to a ground surface in a loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventors: François Garneau, Pascal Laurendeau
  • Patent number: 12168407
    Abstract: An improved ratchet binder with a folding handle with two connecting ends and includes an enclosed ratchet gear. The direction of rotation of the enclosed ratchet gear is determined by a knob located on the ratchet gear. The knob includes a handle for improved leverage on the knob. The knob may be lifted and rotated 180 degrees to change the direction of rotation from binding a load (decreasing the distance between the connecting ends) or releasing a load (increasing the distance between the connecting ends). A raised knob also allows free motion of the gear for quick release. The knob is connected to a two-sided pawl that engages with the gear. The pawl includes a pawl spring to provide tension on the knob and to ensure engagement of the pawl with the ratchet gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas Durbin
  • Patent number: 12168408
    Abstract: A mold assembly, for an overhead console button carrier having a unitary body, includes a cavity side and a core side. The core side includes at least one zero draft core insert, a first buried retractor mechanism and a first slide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Todd Jared Konet, Derren Woods, Wei Xu, Alex Lince
  • Patent number: 12168409
    Abstract: A method of providing a warning about a vehicle in violation of a traffic signal, including: transmitting, by a rear vehicle driving behind a front vehicle entering an intersection in a first direction, signal violation information to a nearby vehicle entering the intersection in a second direction different from the first direction through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication when the rear vehicle determines whether the front vehicle is in violation of a traffic signal at the intersection using sensing information obtained by sensing the front vehicle and determines that the front vehicle is in violation of the traffic signal; and generating, by the nearby vehicle, a warning about a risk of collision with the front vehicle using the signal violation information transmitted from the rear vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong keon Lee
  • Patent number: 12168410
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a mirror assembly. An imager is centrally disposed on the mirror assembly and configured to acquire an image of a biometric feature of a vehicle occupant within a field of view of the imager. A first light source is disposed within the mirror assembly and configured to project a ray of light onto a target surface corresponding to an eye of the vehicle occupant. The first light source is spaced from the target surface by a first distance. The first light source is spaced from the imager by a second distance. The ray of light forms an angle of incidence having legs extending from the target surface to the first light source and to the imager, and wherein the first distance and the second distance are operable to define the angle of incidence in the range of 5° to 15°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, Jr., Joshua D. Lintz, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Derek S. Blaskowski
  • Patent number: 12168411
    Abstract: CAPROP (Tools Hood): It is a tool box located at the top rear of the cart. The intention is to equip it with the necessary tools to make it independent. The flap covering the CAPROP tool box opens and is secured with a double leg hinge, exposing different attachments, deployed in their particular spaces. The flap of the tool box closes with a twist lock with key. It has a night work led bulb inside and a red emergency light on top of the flap outside. All those tools within CAPROP are necessary to solve different emergency situation. Behind each tools pocket is a 10 foot piece of nylon rope. Inside the drawer are a pair of gloves, a first aid kit, a tire repair kit and a clean cloth. The uses of golf carts has been on the rise given their low cost maintenance and its accessibility in rural areas. It is used frequently by disabled persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventor: Angel Rodriguez-Cruz
  • Patent number: 12168412
    Abstract: A centralized occupancy detection system enables monitoring of multiple seats, or more generally, multiple stations, with a single sensor. One illustrative vehicle includes: one or more stations each configured to accommodate an occupant of the vehicle, a radar-reflective surface, and a radar transceiver configured to use the radar-reflective surface to detect an occupant of at least one of the stations. Another illustrative vehicle includes: multiple stations to each accommodate an occupant of the vehicle, and a radar transceiver configured to examine each of the multiple stations to determine whether that station has an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: AyDee Kay LLC
    Inventors: Danny Elad, Dan Corcos
  • Patent number: 12168413
    Abstract: A device includes a body structure, a seat assembly that is connected to the body structure, and an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure includes one or more surfaces that are configured to react forces by engaging with a first feature to control motion of a second feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Adam J. Golman, Arturo Llamazares Domper, Nicholas A. White, Jesse T. Buehler
  • Patent number: 12168414
    Abstract: An airbag device includes a far-side airbag and a first deployment controller configured to control deployment of the far-side airbag. The far-side airbag is provided in a seat backrest of the seat at a location adjacent to a center console, and includes shoulder and head protection air chambers configured to protect respectively a shoulder and a head, of an occupant. The shoulder protection air chamber includes air chamber elements configured to deploy in a vertical tubular shape. The head protection air chamber is configured to deploy in a semicircular shape. A base fabric of the far-side airbag in a deployed state is longer at a side adjacent to the center console than at a side adjacent to the seat. The shoulder protection air chamber is provided with a restraining tether configured to squeeze the shoulder protection air chamber toward the seat when the shoulder protection air chamber is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 12168415
    Abstract: A deployable restraint system includes an inflatable structure and a tether. The inflatable structure comprises a main chamber and a pair of auxiliary chambers coupled to the main chamber and sealed with respect to the main chamber. The tether is coupled to the inflatable structure via an anchor and configured to guide the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Adam J. Golman, Jesse T. Buehler, Nathaniel J. Dennis
  • Patent number: 12168416
    Abstract: A belt retractor having a belt reel, a safety belt which can be wound thereon to form a wound belt, a pyrotechnic belt tensioner having a drive device which is guided in a tube and can be driven to perform a drive movement, and at least one first further assembly arranged coaxially to the rotational axis of the belt reel and in series with the belt reel, a safety belt which can be wound thereon to form a wound belt, and at least one first assembly, wherein the tube has a straight linear section which extends parallel to the rotational axis of the belt reel and the longitudinal axis of the assembly and is arranged on the side of the belt reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Antto-Christian Glaesser, Arndt Söhnchen, Jens Ehlers, Lennart Pettersson, Bengt Dahlquist, Alexandru Cirstea, Levi Lennartsson
  • Patent number: 12168417
    Abstract: A wheel lock having an L-shaped member and a hub mount. When coupled to a wheel of a trailer, the rotation of the wheel forces the L-shaped member into the ground, or into the underside of the trailer, thus immobilizing the wheel from rotating. Additionally, a puck lock, and a locking member having a lock guard, are utilized to ensure that the lock is not tampered with. Furthermore, a shield is incorporated to prevent an unauthorized user from removing the fasteners that secure the wheel lock to the wheel of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventor: James Milton Odom
  • Patent number: 12168418
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for an electronic response to a potential carjacking is provided. A device receives: a location and vehicle ignition status of a vehicle; and sensor data generated by one or more sensors that are onboard the vehicle, the sensor data different from the location and the vehicle ignition status. The device determines whether the location of the vehicle is associated with a carjacking type of location, and whether a combination of the vehicle ignition status and the sensor data meet a carjacking threshold condition. When both the location of the vehicle is associated with the carjacking type of location and the carjacking threshold condition is met, the device: outputs an alert at the vehicle indicative of, or associated with, the potential carjacking; and/or causes, a notification to be transmitted to a communication device associated with a public safety agency or a monitoring service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Pietro Russo, Barbara R. Doutre, Lin Lin, Daniel R. Bestor, Fanlan Jing, Rupa S. Vasara, John K. Klingert, Caroline J. Watson
  • Patent number: 12168419
    Abstract: When an autonomous driving vehicle picks a user up, a control device performs departure condition confirmation processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 12168420
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device for performing ultra wide band (UWB) multi-ranging. The electronic device includes a communication system that performs UWB communication with multiple terminals and a processor. The multiple terminals include a smart key and at least one digital key. The smart key is a device that is ranged on a one off basis in response to a user input and the at least one digital key includes at least one device that is periodically ranged. The processor set priorities of the plurality of terminals, select one of the plurality of terminals between which pieces of ranging timing overlap based on the priorities of the plurality of terminals when the pieces of ranging timing of the plurality of terminals overlap, and perform ranging on the selected terminal through the communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Chul Lim
  • Patent number: 12168421
    Abstract: An apparatus, a system, and a method for providing a smart multi-tier power running board (PRB) with ground sensing technologies. The apparatus includes one or more support bars, one or more steps, an actuator connected to one end of each support bar of the one or more support bars, one or more sensors, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the one or more sensors. The controller is configured to: obtain data indicative of a request to move the one or more support bars from a stowed position to a deployed position; determine, based on sensor data detected by the one or more sensors, the deployed position for moving the one or more support bars; and control, based on the determined deployed position, the actuator to move the one or more support bars from the stowed position to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: John D. Harkleroad, Manish Shah, Aamir U Warsi
  • Patent number: 12168422
    Abstract: The deploying stepway includes a guide frame and a step assembly. The step assembly includes a plurality of steps, a step frame pivotally coupled to the steps and including a pivot assembly, and a proximal portion and a distal portion defined on either side of the pivot assembly. The deploying stepway is configured to transition among a stair configuration, in which the proximal and distal portions are aligned and extend from the guide frame at a declined stair angle, a ladder configuration in which the distal portion is pivoted relative to the proximal portion and extends from the guide frame at a declined ladder angle, and a stowed configuration in which the step assembly is at least substantially received in the guide frame. The methods include deploying the deploying stepway from the stowed to the stair configuration and transitioning the deploying stepway from the stowed to the ladder configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Globe Trekker, LLC
    Inventors: William Myron Sands, II, Garrett Pauwels
  • Patent number: 12168423
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft windshield wiper system, having: a wiper arm; a reversible motor that drives the wiper arm, the motor including: a stator; a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator; a forward shaft segment that is driven by the rotor and being rotationally connected to the wiper arm; an aft shaft segment that is driven by the rotor, the aft shaft segment including a forward end and an aft end; a ball nut that translates along the aft shaft segment from rotation of the aft shaft segment; a forward stop at a forward end of the aft shaft segment, configured to stop forward translational motion of the ball nut along the aft shaft segment; and an aft stop at an aft end of the aft shaft segment, configured to stop aft translational motion of the ball nut along the aft shaft segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: Nouduri Phani Srinivas, Srivatsa Santyar
  • Patent number: 12168424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support of a ball-joint housing for a connecting rod of a windshield wiper actuating linkage system, the support having a ball-joint housing that extends along a longitudinal axis (B) and is configured to be received in a complementary orifice in the connecting rod. According to the invention, the support is configured to be rotationally joined to the connecting rod. The invention also relates to a connecting rod configured to be rotationally joined to such a support, and to the corresponding joining method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Cyrille Girodot, Nicolas Kuchly
  • Patent number: 12168425
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking arrangement for a vehicle, the braking arrangement comprising an electric machine electrically connectable to an electric power source, a brake compressor positioned in an air flow conduit, the brake compressor being configured to pressurize a flow of air and to exhaust the pressurized flow of air, and a compressor shaft mechanically connecting the electric machine and the brake compressor to each other, wherein the electric machine is configured to generate a torque on the compressor shaft for operating the brake compressor to pressurize the flow of air, the braking arrangement further comprising an air bearing arrangement, the air bearing arrangement being fluidly connectable to a pressurized brake air tank of the vehicle via an air bearing conduit, wherein the air bearing arrangement is suspending the compressor shaft to at least one of the electric machine and the brake compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrik Rahm, Tove Audhav, Vijai Shankar Bhavani Shankar
  • Patent number: 12168426
    Abstract: An electromechanically drivable brake pressure generator for a hydraulic braking system of a vehicle. The electromechanically drivable brake pressure generator includes an electric motor, using which a driving rotational speed is generatable; a planetary gear, which is driven on the input side by the electric motor to convert the driving rotational speed of the electric motor into a slower rotational speed, the planetary gear including an annulus gear, accommodated rotatably fixedly thereto in an annulus gear receptacle; and a hydraulic module, which is connected to an output side of the planetary gear and using which a brake pressure is generatable. A torque support is situated between the annulus gear and the annulus gear receptacle, which extends in an axial direction to the planetary gear and which cooperates with a recess so that the annulus gear and the annulus gear receptacle are held rotatably fixedly with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Mark Boehm
  • Patent number: 12168427
    Abstract: A reduction motor for a parking brake mechanical actuator of a drum brake comprising an electric motor comprising an output shaft extending along a first axis, and a reduction gearbox comprising an output shaft extending along a second axis, in which the reduction gearbox, comprises stepped tangentially-meshing spur gears, each stepped gear comprising a gearwheel and a coaxial pinion, these being superposed on and secured to each other in terms of rotation, the stepped gears being mounted with the ability to rotate about mutually parallel axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: FOUNDATION BRAKES FRANCE
    Inventors: Alberto Molinaro, Cédric Guignon, Luu Gérard, Christophe Dupas
  • Patent number: 12168428
    Abstract: Disclosed herein an electric parking brake includes a pair of pressing portions provided in a caliper housing to convert rotational motion into linear motion to press a brake pad; an actuator configured to transmit power to the pair of pressing portions; and a load control portion provided rotatably between the pair of pressing portions and the actuator, the load control portion applying a uniform load to the pair of pressing portions by pressing any one of the pair of pressing portions that generates a less load during braking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Woochul Lim, Joon-kyu Song, Daejune Jung
  • Patent number: 12168429
    Abstract: A brake booster assembly having a brake booster body and a pushrod as well as a pushrod-pedal coupler are provided. The pushrod travels along a pushrod axis when being pushed. The brake booster assembly includes a pushrod-pedal coupler. The pushrod-pedal coupler comprises a pushrod-attachment end arranged on the pushrod and defining a longitudinal axis parallel to the pushrod axis. A pedal-attachment end is configured to be attached to a pedal and having a pedal pivot axis around which the pedal pivots when being pushed. The pedal pivot axis extends across the longitudinal axis. A coupler hinge is arranged between the pushrod-attachment end and the pedal-attachment end and connects the pushrod-attachment end with the pedal-attachment end. The coupler hinge has a coupler hinge axis that extends across the longitudinal axis and the pedal pivot axis. The pedal pivot axis and the coupler hinge axis are offset along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Kenneth Nelson
  • Patent number: 12168430
    Abstract: A trailer braking system comprises a vehicles having a continuously-variable hydrostatic transmission, and a trailer coupled for towing by the vehicle and having an associated braking system operable from the vehicle. The vehicle transmission includes a first pressure sensor arranged to measure a fluid pressure at a predetermined point within the transmission, and a rotation sensor arranged to determine a rotation direction of a predetermined component in a driveline of the vehicle. A control unit coupled to the first pressure sensor and rotation sensor determines when a PUSH condition exists based on a particular combination of pressure and rotational direction, and operates the trailer brakes in response. One or more back-up systems to confirm the existence of a PUSH condition may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Kirmaier, Richard Heindl, Tobias Albrecht
  • Patent number: 12168431
    Abstract: A brake system for a motor vehicle has electromechanical wheel brakes, a brake operating unit and a central brake control unit. The wheel brakes each have a local brake control unit. The central brake control unit is connected to the brake operating unit and the local brake control units via a first data connection. The brake operating unit is connected to the local brake control unit of at least one wheel brake via a second data connection. In a normal operating mode the central brake control unit determines at least one brake demand from first operating information, received via the first data connection and transmits control signals corresponding to the brake demand to the local brake control units. In a fallback operating mode the local brake control units actuate the respective wheel brakes basis on second operating information, received via the second data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Martin Brenn, Jürgen Böhm, Sascha Gröger, Sebastian Müller, Jochen Beuss, Anselm Keil, Marco Besier, Matthias Muntu, Timo Sauerwald
  • Patent number: 12168432
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes: a reprogramming slave device that is an electronic control unit (hereinafter, referred to as ECU) to be a target of updating an update file of a program stored among a plurality of the ECUs; a reprogramming master device that transmits the update file to the reprogramming slave device in response to a request from a terminal operable by a vehicle user to control updating of the program stored in the reprogramming slave device; and a determination unit that determines traveling propriety of a vehicle when the update file is rewritten in the reprogramming slave device. The vehicle device functions as the reprogramming master device, and includes: an obtaining unit that obtains the traveling propriety determined by the determination unit; and a notification command unit that commands a notification medium to notify information of the traveling propriety obtained by the obtaining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuzo Harata, Sho Nakamura, Kazuhiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 12168433
    Abstract: A material processing apparatus has as a power supply system comprising an electrical power supply and a hydraulic power supply. The electrical power supply comprises a battery pack and an electrical generator. The power supply system is operable in different power supply modes in which said at least one battery and/or said electrical generator supply electrical power to the electrically powered components of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventors: Ciaran Fanning, Barry McMenamin
  • Patent number: 12168434
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are configured to simultaneously generate power in a hybrid mode. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand decreasing to less than a first threshold while the vehicle is operating in the hybrid mode, shutdown the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand decreasing to less than the first threshold and an operator input to extend the hybrid mode, override shutting down the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Kava, Kenneth Frederick, Floyd Cadwell, Justin Reuel Badger
  • Patent number: 12168435
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a disconnect clutch, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are each configured to generate power. The disconnect clutch is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to start the engine, close the disconnect clutch to transfer power from the electric machine to the engine. The controller is further programmed to control the torque of the disconnect clutch via increasing a pressure applied to the disconnect clutch based on a first-order model of the pressure applied to the disconnect clutch. The controller is further programmed to adjust the model based on a difference between an expected pressure to the disconnect clutch and a measured pressure of the disconnect clutch during a time period prior to transferring torque through the disconnect clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Akshay Bichkar, Corey James Blue, Samuel Melville Glauber, Jason Meyer, Bradley Dean Riedle
  • Patent number: 12168436
    Abstract: A vehicle motion control apparatus includes a control unit which controls a steering apparatus and a brake apparatus provided in a vehicle. The control unit acquires a normative motion state amount necessary for the vehicle to trace a target traveling path, acquires a target motion state amount necessary for generating a yaw moment to cancel unstable behavior of the vehicle, and acquires a target steering angle for generating a steering angle moment and a target brake force for generating a brake moment, to obtain a necessary yaw moment generated by the vehicle. The control unit outputs a first control command for obtaining the target steering angle to the steering apparatus and outputs a second control command for obtaining the target brake force to the brake apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Arima, Satoshi Kashiwamura
  • Patent number: 12168437
    Abstract: A display device includes a display section provided in a cabin of a vehicle that is capable of autonomous driving, memory, and a processor connected to the memory. The processor is configured to, before conducting a lane change by autonomous driving from a first lane in which the vehicle is running to a second lane that is distinct from the first lane, display a lane display and a confirmation display at the display section. The lane display corresponds to the first lane and the second lane. The confirmation display relates to confirmation of a condition of the second lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Yoshida, Ryo Ogata, Junji Miyazaki, Koji Kimura, Satoaki Takabatake, Tadashi Morishita
  • Patent number: 12168438
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a trajectory of a vehicle are disclosed. The methods include generating a spatial domain speed profile for a path represented as a sequence of poses of a vehicle between a first point and a second point. Generation of the spatial domain speed profile uses a longitudinal problem while excluding a derate interval on the path when speed of the vehicle cannot exceed a threshold. The methods further include generating a derate profile using the spatial domain speed profile and the derate interval, and transforming the derate interval to a temporal derate interval. The temporal derate interval may include time steps at which the speed of the vehicle cannot exceed the threshold while traversing the path, and may be used as an input to the longitudinal problem for generating a trajectory of the vehicle for navigating between the first point and the second point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alice Kassar, Scott Julian Varnhagen, Ramadev Burigsay Hukkeri
  • Patent number: 12168439
    Abstract: A vehicle control device that autonomously controls a vehicle so as not to cause rapid deceleration that leads to a deterioration in ride quality. The vehicle control device controls first and second deceleration, means that reduce a speed at a deceleration rate large than a deceleration rate of the first deceleration means. The vehicle control device includes a blind spot area detecting unit that detects a blind spot area of a sensor that recognizes an external environment, and a blind spot object estimating unit that estimates a blind spot object that is a virtual moving body hidden in the blind spot area. When a vehicle approaches the blind spot area at a speed reduced by the first deceleration means, the vehicle is decelerated by the second deceleration means when a type of a moving body detected by the sensor is different from a type of the blind spot object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoh Inaba, Trongmun Jiralerspong, Hidehiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 12168440
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control apparatus includes an information acquiring section; a determining section that determines whether a special road terrain exists; and a speed control section that controls a speed of the subject vehicle. The speed control section is further configured to: when the special road terrain exists but a preceding vehicle does not exist, increase or decrease the speed of the subject vehicle with respect to a pre-set vehicle speed in the energy efficiency zone such that the energy efficiency is improved; and when the special road terrain and a preceding vehicle exists and the speed of the subject vehicle is planned to increase in the energy efficiency zone, control the speed of the subject vehicle in an inter-vehicle distance maintenance zone such that the subject vehicle has an inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle longer than a pre-set inter-vehicle distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, J-QUAD DYNAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 12168441
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, in response to a vehicle towing a trailer being in reverse, determine a relative orientation of the trailer to the vehicle; while the vehicle is in reverse, in response to the relative orientation exceeding a threshold, brake the vehicle; and then, upon receiving an operator input, permit the vehicle to travel in reverse with the relative orientation exceeding the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Brendan Francis Diamond, Michael Alan Mcnees
  • Patent number: 12168442
    Abstract: A control device, system and method that distribute a braking request to at least one of a powertrain and a brake based on a braking request by driver operation and a braking force that is generable by the power train. When the braking request is larger than the braking force that is generable by the powertrain, the device, system and method instruct a controller of the powertrain to generate the braking force that is generable by the powertrain, and to instruct a controller of the brake to generate a braking force corresponding to a difference between the braking request and the braking force that is generable by the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuki Miyake